Applied Intelligent Engineering Systems
Lab
Dalhousie University
Faculty of Agriculture
Department of Engineering
2025 Annual Potato Conference & Trade Show, 6 February 2025
February , 2025
The team travelled to Woodstock, NB, where we participated in the potato NB conference and trade show. At the conference, we met professionals that were enlightening us about local potato research. Topics related to yield monitoring, GHG emissions, soil health, and net energy systems were brought to our attention.
Paper Published: Development of an ISOBUS-compliant communication node for multiple machine vision systems on wide boom sprayers for spot application schemes
January , 2025
A new research article authored by Mozammel Bin Motalab, Ahmad Al-Mallahi, Alex Martynenko, Karama Al-Tamimi, and Dimitrios S. Paraforos was published in January 2025 in Smart Agricultural Technology, Volume 10, March 2025 (100815). This study introduces the development of an ISOBUS-compliant communication node, the Machine Vision Node (MVN), designed for hybrid communication between Ethernet and Controller Area Network (CAN) on wide boom sprayers. The MVN facilitates the integration of multiple machine vision systems, allowing for the simultaneous control of up to 60 nozzles based on pest detection. This advancement holds significant potential for optimizing precision agriculture by enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of spot application systems. Read the full article here.
Atlantic Farm Mechanization Show – Moncton , 28-30 November 2024
December , 2024
It was a great pleasure for the AIES research group to attend the The Atlantic Farm Mechanization show, to be held at the Moncton Coliseum from November 28 to 30, 2024, Moncton, NB.
Paper Published: Development of a Flexible Electronic Control Unit for Seamless Integration of Machine Vision to CAN-Enabled Boom Sprayers
October , 2024
A new research article authored by Mozammel Bin Motalab and Ahmad Al-Mallahi was published in October 2024 in Smart Agricultural Technology, Volume 9, December 2024. The article explores the development of an innovative Electronic Control Unit (ECU) designed to integrate machine vision with CAN-enabled boom sprayers, enabling precise, targeted pesticide applications. Acting as a flexible bridge between machine vision systems and sprayer nozzles, the ECU facilitates the individual activation of nozzles for spot applications based on pest detection. Utilizing the UART protocol, the ECU parses machine vision data and converts it into nozzle control commands. Rigorous testing across multiple scenarios highlights the potential of this breakthrough technology, which could pave the way for more efficient, targeted pesticide application systems. Read the full article here.
CSBE Conference, 06-10 July 2024
July , 2024
It was a great pleasure for the AIES research group to attend the CSBE/SCGAB 2024 AGM and Technical Meeting 06-10 July 2024 in Winnipeg, MB. There are five conference proceedings are presented at this annual conference.
Mitacs Globalink Research Award
April, 2024
Humphrey Maambo completed his internship (March to April, 2024) at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Tirupati in India by receiving Mitach Globallink Research Award, focusing on angled spray nozzle visualisation in spot applications.
The Centre for Students Welfare, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, hosted the SICI’s Bi-National (Indo-Canadian) Agri Cluster Workshop 2024
February, 2024
Dr. Ahmad Al-Mallahi visited the Centre for Students Welfare, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, hosted the SICI’s Bi-National (Indo-Canadian) and gave his speech at the Agri Cluster Workshop 2024.
Dalhousie OpenThink Participant
January, 2024
This year, in 2024, one of our lab members, Mozammel Bin Motalab, became a Dalhousie OpenThink Scholar. PhD researchers from across Dalhousie University contribute their expertise to publish articles that provide valuable context for addressing some of the world’s toughest challenges. These articles explore complex issues that we may not have even begun to contemplate and inspire us with new ideas. We are proud to share Mozammel’s published article. Read his articles here.
15th International Congress on Agricultural Mechanization and Energy in Agriculture – ANKAgEng’2023” in Antalya, Türkiye.
October, 2023
It was a great pleasure for the AIES research group to attend the 15th International Congress on
Agricultural Mechanization and Energy in Agriculture – AnkAgEng’2023“ organized between October
29 – November 1, 2023, in Antalya, Türkiye by Ankara University Faculty of Agriculture Department
of Agricultural Machinery and Technologies Engineering.. The conference proceeding is presented at this annual conference. The authors for the conference proceeding are Ahmad Al-Mallahi, Mozammel Bin Motalab, Imran Hassan and Travis Esau. Presentation focused on the development of machine vision and communication components, facilitating precise insecticide spot application on boom sprayers.
See & Spray Demonstration
October, 2023
On October 10th, 2023, we conducted a demonstration at the Farm of the Future (FOF) in front of the McCain Senior Leadership Team. During this event, we showcased our innovative “See and Spray” project. In this project, we integrated 60 Pentair nozzles onto the boom of the CASE IH Patriot 3240. The entire system can be controlled through an ISOBUS and Raven AFS Pro 700 VT. Nine of these nozzles are connected to hydraulic flow, facilitated by two Pentair pumps.
American Societ-y of Agricultural & Biological Engineers (ASABE) Conference 2023, 9-12 July
July , 2023
Humphrey attended the 2023 Annual International Meeting held by ASABE in Omaha, Nebraska. Work presented involves development of an electronic control unit that facilitates nozzle valve communication between two different control area network baud rates.
CSBE Conference, 23-26 July 2023
July , 2023
It was a great pleasure for the AIES research group to attend the CSBE/SCGAB 2023 AGM and Technical Meeting 23-26 July 2023 in Lethbridge, AB. There are five conference proceedings are presented at this annual conference. The authors are Mozammel Bin Motalab, Colton Campbell, Ighodaro Emwinghare, Sama Huseynova and Imran Hassan.
Demonstration of See & Spray and Potato Grading Station Technologies to the CEOs of McCain Foods and Sobeys Inc at the Farms of the Future
May, 2023
The team demonstrated see and spray and autonomous grading technologies to the CEOs of McCain and Sobeys Inc. They were keen about how the see and spray technology can help in saving the environment from indiscriminate application of agro-chemicals, while also reducing cost. Moreover, by grading tubers on the post-harvest conveyors, tubers can be distributed to the various market segments based on specific qualities.
Demonstration of See & Spray and Potato Grading Station Technologies to the Professors from India at the Dalhousie University
June, 2023
Kalidindi N. Satyanarayana, the Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati, and Dr. Sasidhar Gumma, who is in chemical engineering at the same university, recently visited our laboratory, where our team of graduate students warmly welcomed them. The students had the opportunity to showcase their innovative research by making presentations on their work while also demonstrating prototypes. The visit was an enriching experience, fostering knowledge exchange and inspiring further collaboration in cutting-edge research and development.
“Future Farms Showcase: Promising Research Technologies Impressed McCain Foods’ Senior Leadership Team”
June, 2023
At Farms of the Future, we effectively showcased our diverse research technologies to McCain Foods’ senior technical and business leadership team. Following the impressive demonstration, we engaged in extensive technical discussions regarding the implementation and integration of our developed technologies with McCain’s agricultural machinery.
Robotic Assembly protype “Snipebot”
June, 2023
Akshit Bhalla has made a Robotic Assembly prototype called SnipeBot with various applications, including sensing and range testing for LoRa chips. The joystick input determines the direction in which Assembly points, making it a versatile tool for various sensing applications. The bot’s mobility and sensor integration make it an effective choice for data gathering and exploration tasks.
Mitacs Globalink Research Award
March, 2023
Reem Abukmeil has completed her internship (January to March, 2023) at Aston University in UK by receiving Mitach Globallink Research Award, focusing on automation and sensing development for estimating nutrients in potato plants.
Mitacs Globalink Research Award
April, 2023
Mozammel Motalab has completed his internship (February to April, 2023) at Hochschule Geisenheim University in Germany by receiving Mitach Globallink Research Award, focusing on the integration of vision systems in site-specific real-time spraying applications through the utilization of ISOBUS technology.
Summer Interns 2023
May , 2023
We have five undergraduate students working with us on various Precision Agriculture initiatives.
Aniket Mandal, Kartika Sharma,Sreenivasulu Mamilla and Mohit Kumar are four MITACS Globalink Interns from India.
Akshit Bhalla is a summer student from Dalhousie University.
Dr. Ahmad Al-Mallahi Presents Research, and Develops Connections Throughout South Asia
January/February , 2022
Dr. Ahmad Al-Mallahi had the chance to visit University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Rawalpindi’s Agricultural University and various other institutions throughout India and Pakistan. Here, he was able to hold presentations, visit laboratories, and hold discussions about the future of agricultural engineering; while strengthening collaboration between South Asian and Canadian research in precision agriculture.
AIES Research Presents at CIGR World Congress 2022 at Kyoto Japan
December, 2022
Conference papers by AIES research’s Mozammel Motalab, Imran Hassan, Reem Abukmeil and Ighodaro Emwinghare were presented at the 2022 CIGR World Congress in Kyoto, Japan. For information pertaining to conference proceedings click here.
AIES Research contribution at McCain’s Farm of the Future celebrated in article at The Guardian
November, 2022
The Guardian published an article detailing the agricultural engineering done at McCain’s Farm of the Future by AIES research and associates. Among the highlighted technologies include AIES’ autonomous see-and-spray machine, as well as the post-harvest machine vision system. Find article here.
Demonstration for McCain Foods Senior Leadership At Farms of the Future
November, 2022
Our team was able to successfully demonstrate to the senior leadership team of McCain Foods at Farms of the Future about our different research technologies. After the successful demonstration the senior leadership team suggested us for future development and discussed their expectation.
Successful Machine Vision Prototype Deployment
October, 2022
AIES master students Ighodaro Emwinghare (pictured left) and Colton Campbell successfully deployed and tested their post-harvest machine vision system during McCain’s Farm of the Future operations. The system successfully achieved semi-real time data acquisition and image segmentation.
Demonstration for McCain’s Leadership Team
September, 2022
Our team successfully demonstrated different prototypes for spot spraying and tuber sorting in-front of McCain Food’s Global Agriculture Leadership Team at Farms of the Future. We found their keen interest about our sensing technologies.
Demonstration at McCain Food’s Farms of Future
August, 2022
Our team was able to successfully demonstrate to the different stakeholders at McCain Food’s Farms of the Future about our sensing technologies. After the successful demonstration at farmer’s day, we extended and exhibited our practical prototypes to the McDonald’s team.
Conference Attended (CSBE/SCGAB 2022 AGM)
July, 2022
It was a great pleasure for the AIES research group to attend the CSBE/SCGAB 2022 AGM held from July 24-27, 2022 in Charlottetown. There are four conference proceedings are presented at this annual conference. The authors are Reem Abukmeil, Mozammel Bin Motalab, Humphrey Maambo, and Imran Hassan. The conference link is here.
Paper published
July, 2022
The title of the published article is “New approach to estimate macro and micronutrients in potato plants based on foliar spectral reflectance” by Reem Abukmeil, Ahmad Al-Mallahi and Felipe Campelo at Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. This research aims to assess whether there is a correlation between the chemical contents of potato petioles and leaf spectrum, and to examine whether the spectrum of dried or fresh leaves have higher correlation values. The article is available here.
Conference Attended
June, 2022
Summer Interns 2022
May , 2022
We have four undergraduate students working with us on various Precision Agriculture initiatives.
Harsh Senjaliya, Sahil Faizal, and Paridha Talmale are three MITACS Globalink Interns from India.
Arshvir Singh is a summer student from Dalhousie University.
Team Attended International Potato Technology Expo 2022
April, 2022
The 2022 edition of the International Potato Technology Expo welcomed thousands of industry professionals from across North America back to the Eastlink Centre this past Wednesday and Thursday. This was the first agricultural trade event to take place in Canada and Prince Edward Island, both exhibitors and attendees alike were excited to return to face-to-face networking opportunities.
2,761 attendees walked the show floor to check out diverse exhibits from local, regional, national, and international companies. Dozens of exhibitors at the show debuted cutting-edge and innovative products including new potato varieties, the latest models of equipment, innovative growing technology, and more.
Dr. Ahmad Al-Mallahi received IC-IMPACTS Funds
March , 2022
IC-IMPACTS announced the funding of three new projects in Food Security, with the selected researchers receiving a one-year grant to explore collaborative opportunities with Indian counterparts, developing solutions to our pressing problems of food insecurity.
This is an one year grant to explore collaborative opportunities with Indian counterparts, developing solutions to the pressing problem of food insecurity.
Russet Burbank plantlets were successfully planted and grown in an indoor growing area in comparison to a greenhouse area
March, 2022
A successful growing of Russet Burbank was implemented in a sunroom that has been transformed into an intelligent indoor growing environment, in comparison to a greenhouse growing area.
Photo taken of Russet Burbank yield of plantlets grown at the (a) growing environment of the Department of Engineering (Date: March 01st, 2022), (b) greenhouse (Date: January 25th, 2022), in the Agriculture Campus of Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia
Parallel boom sprayer system mounted on ATV
February, 2022
The parallel boom sprayer system currently under development has now been fully mounted on the JD Gator all-terrain vehicle in readiness for spot spraying experiments. The system is equipped with a boom sprayer capable of individual nozzle control and will be used as an intermediate experiment platform between the static sprayer and the commercial sprayer.
Paper published
January, 2022
The title of the published article is “Automatic imaging system mounted on boom sprayer for crop scouting using an off-the-shelf RGB camera” by Colton Campbell, Ahmad Al-Mallahi, WilliamWatson at Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. This article describes an imaging system mounted on the boom of a self-propelled sprayer, which was developed to automatically capture and store high-definition video images, while handling agrochemical spray and machine vibration. The article is available here.
Potato plants at greenhouse
November, 2021
Potato plants were grown at the greenhouse of the Agriculture Campus of Dalhousie University. Study on light intensity at different shoot growth of potato plants have been ongoing using light sensor. Photo taken of potato plants at the greenhouse of the Agriculture Campus of Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia.
Potato plants at the growing environment
September, 2021
A sunroom has been transformed into an intelligent indoor growing environment for potato plants. LED lights were installed so that it can provide the amount of electromagnetic radiation equivalent to the monthly average solar radiation in Truro in summer. Based on published studies on crop growth requirements, the indoor environment was set up to provide light equally at 600 µmol m-2 s-1 over 14 hours per day. Heater was also installed to warm up the room within the range of 15°C and 25°C night/day. This photo of potato plants taken at the growing environment of the Department of Engineering in the Agriculture Campus of Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia
New Master’s positions
July, 2021
Our research group has new positions for two masters students in the fields of; precision agriculture, sensing and automation, intelligent machinery, digital and control systems or any related field. Details are here.
Participation in 5th International Conference of CIGR
May, 2021
Our team participated in the 5th International Conference of CIGR. Dr. Al-Mallahi, Reem and Manoj presented below presentations respectively.
- Requirements to enable variable rate application on ISO-bus-established sprayers.
- Effect of light uniformity on the growth of potato plantlets under different fertigation schemes grown at controlled environment space.
- Developing individual nozzle control-enabling software for ISObus-compatible static sprayer.
Keynote Speaker at Global Reach 2020
July, 2020
Dr. Al-Mallahi participated as a keynote speaker at Global Reach 2020 Symposium: Solving Agricultural Problems Through Research and Innovation.
The symposium took place virtually by Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture. The conference provides the opportunity and venue for five theme sessions: Animal Science, Agri-Business and Economics, Crop Science, Engineering and Environmental Science. Graduate students discuss how they finished and/or continuing research may help solve agricultural problems in novel ways.
Open Dialogue Live: The Future of Farming
December, 2020
Dr. Al-Mallahi and Reem participated as a speaker at this open dialogue Facebook live on the topic ‘Future of Farming’.
This live session arranged by Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture and proceeded by dean of the faculty Dr. David Gray. The future of farming with a focus on digital technologies was the focus of discussion.
You can watch the dialogue here.